Automatic liquid dispenser



Nov. 27, 1934.

AUTOMATIC LIQUID DI SPEIISER Filed Jan. 26, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet l J. L. PATTERSON 1,982,535

gmntoz Ndv. 21, 1934.

' J. 1.. PATTERSON AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSER Filed Jan. 26, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I LL 10m wage J. L. PATTERSON 1,982,535

AUTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSEF Filed Jan. 28, 1 933 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 1934.

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Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES AI JTOMATIC LIQUID DISPENSER John L. Patterson, nichmond va assignor to Richmond Beverage Machine Corporation,

Bichmond,va., a corporation of Virginia Application January 26, 1933, Serial No. 653,699

7 Claims.

This invention pertains to automatic dispensers of beverages, and is designed to produce an apparatus which, upon introduction of a coin or token of prescribed character, shall cause a cup to be released from a stack, deposited in a holder, and -filled with a beverage.

The beverage delivered may be any usual form of still drink, such as orange juice, grape juice, root beer, Coca Cola, or the like, prepared as a regular article of commerce and placed in the reservoir or container of the machine, ready to be "dispensed without further preparation. The machine may, however, dispense a carbonated and flavored beverage, such as soda-water, the carbonated water and syrup being delivered at one operation through deposit of a single coin or token in the usual coin slot of the machine. In both types of machine the deposit of the proper coin or token closes a circuit and energizes a solenoid which initiates the operation of the mechanism which causes delivery to the customer of the beverage dispensed by the machine.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine designed for dispensing still drinks, a portion of an ordinary bottle-type beverage container for holding orange juice, grape juice, etc., being shown in dotted lines thereon;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the machine taken at right angles to Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the measuring apparatus for dispensing still drinks;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of thestill drink machine;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the control valve for this type of machine, the parts being disassembled but in their proper relative positions for-assembly; v

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of said control valve;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional elevation of the machine adapted to dispense a carbonated and flavored beverage;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line-,99 of Fig. 8, looking downward in the direction of the arrows;-

Fig. 10 is a partially sectioned view of the carbonated-water measuring cylinder and piston;

Fig. 11 isa detail view of the mechanism whereby the inserted coin or token is caused momentarily to energize the solenoid which actuates the mechanism of the dispensing apparatus;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view of the syrupdispensing mechanism and itsmounting; and

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the dispensing nozzle.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 and designed for dispensing socalled stilldrinks, the mechanism is enclosed 'in a body or casing which comprises an upper section 9 and a lower section 11. The upper section 9 forms a cooling chamber, the sides and bottom being formed by one container placed within and spaced from another and larger container by an intermediate filling 9 of heat insulating material, such as comminuted cork. It is further provided with a cover 12 which as shown .is in two sections, each section being a counterpart of the other, and like the sides and bottom of the chamber, formed to insulate the interior against transmission of heat. One of the sections of cover 12 is provided with a knob for convenience in removal. Included in this chamber and centrally disposed therein is a tank 13 which is formed of porcelain or other material unaffected by the liquid to be dispensed. The open upper endof said tank projects through the cover 12 for the purpose of receiving the neck of an ordinary bottle-type beverage container 13.

Within the upper section or chamber 9 are two measuring cells 14 and 15, identical in capacity and structure (see Figs. 2 and 4). Each cell is provided witha single pipe connection 16,which serves alternately as an inlet and as an outlet for the flow of the liquid dispensed, and with a vent pipe 17 of suflicient height to project above the ice or other refrigerant encompassing the tank 13 and cells 14, 15. The pipes 1'! permit outflow and oFFIcIJQ within the measuring cells. The lower end of each pipe 17 is finished off as shown in Fig. 2, to

provide a seat for a light valve.18 retained by a cage 19 within the cell. As the liquid fills the cell, valve 18'is caused to move upward, and to seat against the lower end of pipe 1'7, thus closing this vent and preventing any further inflow of liquid into the cell. Upon opening a passageway to the discharge nozzle later described, the liquid will promptly flow from the charged measuring cell, the lowering of the level of the liquid therein permitting valve 18 to fall and admit air into said cell to fill the space previously occupied by the liquid. I

The lower section 11 of the casing houses the several moving parts of the mechanism, and includes a valve 21 carried by a hanger 22 which is fixed to the bottom of the cooling chamber or section 9. Valve 21 is clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. The valve shell or casing 23 is internally threaded at 24 to receive the externally threaded portion 25 of a cap 26. .A gasket zr'l. ensures a tight seal between cap. 26 and casing 23. The

valve core is made in two parts or sections, the

lower section 28 as viewed in Figs. 6 and 7 beingreceived in a recess 29 formed in shell 23, and having a cylindrical. stem 31 which projects \through' and extends beyond an opening 32 in valve 21. The uper face 33 01 this portion of ters the cup or cylinder 72, and thus cushions the the valve core is recessed at 34 to receive the squared shank 30 of the ported section 35 of said core. 'I'his'section 35-has tour ports 36, 37, 38 and 39 extending approximately half way through the core, and connected in pairs by cross ports 41 and 42, ports 36 and 37 being connected by port 41,

and 38 and 39 by port 42. These ports register;

. 14 is connected through pipe 46 to valve 21 at 47,

and cell is connected through pipe 48 to valve 21 at 49. Pipe 51 leads from the lowermost port 51' of valve 21 to the cup compartment where the beverage is discharged. The valve shell or casing tain a liquid-tight joint between said member and the gasket, which latter is secured in any convenient way to cap 26.

Slidably mounted in a bracket 52 is one end of a valve-actuating bar 53, the opposite end being connected with an automatic cup-vending mechanism' which is shown only in outline in Fig. 2, detailed illustration being deemed unnecessary as any of the well-known types/ may be utilized. Mounted upon a bracket 541s a solenoid 55, one end of the core being shown at 56 (Fig. 5). Core 56 is connected through linkage 57 and 58 to a radius bar 59, which in turn. is connected to valve actuating bar 53, as most clearly appears in Fig. 5.

35 arm 61 carried by the stem 31 01 valve 21 is slotted at 62 and carries a pawl 63. A ratchet wheel 64 is made fast to stem 31, which forms an axis about which arm 61 oscillates, the ratchet wheel rotating with the stem as clearly shown in Fig. 7. Arm 61 is slidably engaged by the valveactuating bar 53, the connection being made by a screw 65 working in a secondslot 66 in arm 61 (Fig. 2). Upon being energized, the'solenoid' draws its core 56 to the left as shown in Fig. 5 and, acting through linkage 57, 58 and radius bar 59 draws the valve-actuating bar 53 to the left.

This movement of bar 53 actuates the cup-vending mechanism 50, which deposits a cup 67 (Fig.

2) in position tobe filled by the liquid flowing from discharge pipe 51. The valve 21 is also actuated by this movement of bar 53, through arm 61 turning the valve through an angle of thus connecting-one of the measuring cells 14 or 15 with the discharge pipe 51 and allowing its contents to be discharged into the 'cup 67.

As shown in Fig'. 4, cell 14 is discharging through pipe 46, passage 42 in the valve, and pipe 51. At the same time cell 15 is being filled by the flow of liquid from main reservoir 13 through pipe 45, passage 41 in valve 21, and pipe 48. Obviously, upon valve 21 being turned to the left through 90, cell 14 will be connected through pipe 46, passage 42, and pipe 45 with main reservoir 13, and will receive afresh supply 01' liquid. At the same time cell 15 will be connected through pipe 48,and valve passage 41 with pipe'51, and will dischargeits contents into the cup which has been placed to receive it.

As valve-actuating bar 53 is moved with a force which mightcause quite ashock to certain parts of the mechanism and consequent iniury to the machine, a piston 68. carried by an offset portion 69 on said bar, and'locked in its adjusted positionby lock-nut 71, is provided (see Figs. 2 and 5). Upon actuation oibar 53, piston 68 enmechanism against the blow. Bar 53 is retracted by a spring 73, one end of which is attached to the bar, the other end being made last to a wall of the machine or housing. A cushion 74 of rubber or the like is provided, against which bar 53 strikes upon being retracted.

The machine is adapted for operation with ordinary house current, and a standard plug connection is indicated at 75. The coin support on which the coin rests when acting as acircuit closer consists of two arms 76, 77, each forming a terminalfor an electric conductor 70 (see Fig. 3). Upon the insertion of a coin in the slot 78 the circuit is closed through the arms 76, 77 and the coin. The solenoid 55 is thus energized and consequently actuates bar 53." The bar 53 is formed with a projecting shoulder 79, and during travel of the bar this shoulder contacts with the short arm 81 of a lever 82 fulcrumed upon a pivot 83. This causes lever 82 to rock on its pivot thus throwing its-longer arm 84 upwardly, and as arm 84 has contact with one end of arm 77, the latter is likewise rocked upon its pivot, freeing the coin and allowing it to drop into a receptacle 85 provided for the purpose, the circuit being broken and the solenoid de-energized through release of the coin. As bar 53 is retracted, lever arm 84 drops downwardly and comes to rest upon a stop 86, arm 77 being returned to normal position by a spring 87. In Fig. 3 arm 76 is represented as pivotally supported, and is held normally in the position indicated by a spring 88, so that both arms 76 and 77 afford a slightly yielding support for the inserted coin or token. This precludes any rebound of the coin which might occasionally delay the energization of the solenoid and interfere with the proper timing of the parts. Use or spring 88 is, however, optional.

A rheostat or adjustable resistance may be included in the circuit as indicated at 90, Fig. 5, to

ensure delivery of the proper voltage to the solenoid, and thus permitthe dispenser to be supplied with current from lines or mains of dif- Ierent voltage. -This, however, is not essential as lighting currents are at the present time quite generally uniform.

For convenient removal of the filled cup, a shelf or tray 89 is carried by the door 91 to the ,cup compartment, and is provided with a receptacle 92 into which the cup drops when released (Figs. 1 and 2). After the cup is filled the door may be swung open, thus carrying the cup out where it may readily be removed. The door is automatically closed by the action or a spring 93. For ready disposition of theused cups, a chute 94 is provided leading to a receptacle (not shown) into which they are deposited.

The solenoid actuation may also be applied to a machine of the character illustrated in Figs. 8 to 13, the features or the machine aside from the parts adapting it for solenoid actuation be'ing practically the same as those shown in Patent No. 1,650,151 dated November 22, 1927, and in Patent No. 1,825,200 dated September 29, 1931,-

metal frame 100 for holding the cups 101;, the chute or guide 102 for directing a released cup to a point beneath the nozzle 103; the syrup-measuring cylinder 104, and the mechanism for causing operation of the various parts by the solenoid, and delivery of measured charges of carbonated water and syrup-into the cup when positioned beneath nozzle 103. The chamber 97 also contains the carbonated-water measuring cylinder 105 shown more in detail in Fig. 10.

In this embodiment the carbonated liquid is supplied from an outside source, either from a tank or a carbonator, and entering the chain of cooling cylinders 98 through pipe 106, passes through all of said cylinders in order to thoroughly chill the carbonated water, and by pipes 106 and 108 to port 21 of valve 21', whence it is delivered to measuring cylinder 105. Cylinder 105 is provided with a free or floating piston 107, the capacity of the cylinder being such that it will supply the precise carbonatedwater charge desired. Piston 107 is moved alternately in opposite directions by pressure of the carbonated water on first one face and then the other, as first one and then the other end of cylinder 105 is connected with the carbonated-water supply pipe 108 through one or another of the ports of valve 21'. As the valve 21' is turned through 90 to reverse the flow of carbonated water to cylinder 105, the connection of the delivery end of said cylinder with discharge nozzle 103 is simultaneously reversed. Valve 21 which effects this alternating connectionof the carbonatedwater measuring cylinder with the supply pipe and with the discharge nozzle, is similar to valve 21 of Figs. 6and 7 and need not be again described in detail.

- The syrup-measuring cylinder 104, a plurality of which may be employed, is shown more in detail in Fig. 12, and contains four chambers 110. The syrup tank 96 communicates by a passage 111 with the chamber 110 at the time directly below it, one chamber receiving its charge or syrup while another is delivering its charge through outlet 112 and nipple 113 at the lower end of such other chamber, as fully set forth in said Patent No. 1,650,151. Each cylinder 104 is formed with a downwardly extending stem 114 which serves to carry a ratchet disk 115 made fast thereto in any convenient way as by a setscrew 115'. Ratchet disk 115 is cut away on its upper face to form a circular boss concentric with the disk, said boss being encircled by an annular pawl-carrier 116 provided with a pivoted pawl 117, the free end of which is pressed toward the periphery of disk 115 by a spring 118 carried between the downwardly turned end of a radial arm 119 of carrier 1'16 and pawl 117 (see Fig. 9). Disk 115 is provided on its outer edge with a series of ratchet'teeth, four being shown. These teeth should correspond in number with the chambers 110 of cylinder 104, and serve in conjunction with the other parts of, the mechanism, to advance successive chambers to the filling or to the discharge position by a single movement of pawl-carrier 116 and pawl 117.

Oscillating motion is imparted to the p1wl-carrier 116 by a link 120 pin-jointed at one end to an ear projecting from the periphery of said carrier and attached at its other end to a moving part of the mechanism, as later explained. The L-shaped lever 121 is provided to apply adequate pressure to the cap 122 of the syrup-measuring cylinder, to seat the same squarely upon chambers 110 and to cause due embedding of the annular ribs 123 of .disk 123' into gasket 124. Lever 121 is fulcrumed at the junction of its arms in the lower end of a pendant bracket 125 secured at its upper end to cylinder 104. The

horizontal arm of lever 121 is bifurcated to straddle stem 114 and both arms of the fork are formed with rounded upper faces to afford point bearings against the under face of cap 122, and

to permit said cap to rock or tip thereon. A substantial screw-stem 126 passes through the upper end 'of the upright arm of lever 121, and is provided with a milled head by which to turn it to apply pressure to, or to lessen pressure on, cap 122.

The devices for causing the coin or token to complete the electric circuit and energize the solenoid, and thereby to bring about operation of the various parts of the mechanism which control delivery of the properly carbonated and flavored beverage into the cup, and deposit of the filled cup in position to be lifted out by the customer, are shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 11 of this embodiment. The support on which the coin rests when acting as a circuit closer, and the mechanism by which it is released and the circuit broken, are essentially the same as in Figs. 1 to 7. These parts have therefore been indicated by the same reference numerals primed, and the detailed construction and operation thereof need not again be described. The bracket 54' in which solenoid 55' is mounted is provided witha bifurcated extension 127 in which is pivoted a lever 128 slotted at its ends, one end of said lever being connected with a bar 53 similar to the valve-actuating bar 53' of Figs. 2, 3 and 5. Bar 53 passes through openings in bracket guides 130 secured to the floor of the upper section of the machine. Link 120 is secured to and operated by actuation of bar 53', said bar being also connected with and actuating lever 61 of valve 21', in this instance controlling the delivery of the carbonated water.

direction to the flow of current through the winding' Obviously the solenoid may be wound to act in a reverse direction when energized, but

in such case the lever action will be reversed to correspond. Upon inserton of the proper coin into slot 78, solenoid 55' is energized, drawing bar 53' to theleft and thereby causing operation of the cup mechanism, the syrup-measuring device and valve 21', and delivery of the beverage through nozzle 103 into the cup which has been positioned to receive it. The used cups are deposited in the chute 94' which conveys them to a suitable receptacle (not shown).

In Fig. 9 a transformer 131 is included in the circuit between the solenoid and the coin support to reduce the voltage and prevent burning the edge of the coin when making contact with the support. thus ensuring smooth and satisfactory operation of the machine.

. In both types of machines'thesolenoid produces a ouick or staccato actuation, which breaks any adhesion-of the contacting surfaces due to freezing of the various valves and other parts, thus rendering operation of the machine certain and While a solenoid magnet best lends itself to use in the machine described, it is obvious that other forms of electromagnet may be substituted. Other portions of the apparatus may likewise be modified within the scope and skill oi. the

mechanic, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The machine in both the embodiments presented is simple, strong, and emcient, and enables a patron, upon introducing a proper coin or token into the coin slot and without any other act on his part, to obtain a cup illled.with the beverage which the particular machine dispenses. It hence avoids any doubt or confusion in the mind of a person of ordinary intelligence desiring to obtain a cup of the beverage. Delay, such as is occasioned by studying a series of movements to be made, or operations to be performed by the customer, is obviated, and customers may be served much more rapidly than with apparatus requiring severalmovements or operations on their part.

, If the movement of the solenoid core be of suflicient range, intermediate levers or linkage systems to connect the same with the parts actuated, may be dispensed with. Where the range of movement of the core is limited, or it is not practicable to make direct connection between the core and the parts to be actuated thereby, any suitable intermediate lever or levers may of course be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

1. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, a liquid container; a pair of liquidmeasuring cells; a discharge nozzle for the' liquid; a valve interposed between the containerand the cells and between the cells and the nozzle, and serving to connect first one measuring cell with the container and the other with the discharge nozzle, and then to reverse the connections, wherby each cell in turn is caused to fill and the other to discharge; electromagnetic means for actuating said valve; an electric circuit for supplying electric energy to said actuating means, said circuit having a normally open gap with metallic terminals at said gap; and a chute positioned to deliver a coin or token into bridging relation to said metallic terminals, and thereby to complete the circuit of the actuating means.

2. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising, in

nections, whereby each cell in turn is caused to fill and the other to discharge; electromagnetic means for actuating said valve; an electric circuit for supplying electric energy to said actuating means, said circuit having a normally open gap with metallic terminals at said gap; a chute positioned to deliver a coin or token into .bridging relation to said metallic terminals, and thereby to complete the circuit of the actuating vmeans; and means in the path of and operable by a moving part of the actuating means, to move one of said metallic .terminals to release and permit escape oi the coin or token.

between the container and the cells and between the cells andthe nozzle, and serving to connect first one measuring cell with the container and into bridging relation to, said metallic terminals and thereby to complete the circuit of the actuating means; means for releasing a cup from the cup container and permitting the same to pass to filling position beneath the nozzle; means. in the path of and operable by awmoving part of the actuating means, to move one of said metallic terminals to release and permit escape of a coin or token; and means also in the path of said moving part, to actuate the cup-releasing device.

4. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, a source of liquid under pressure; a measuring chamber'for said liquid; a syrup tank; a syrup-measuring device; a cup con tainer; means for releasing cups from said container one at a time; a valve between the liquid source and the liquid-measuring chamber, serv-' ing to-.admit pressure liquid alternately to opposite sides of a floating piston within said chamber; and electromagnetic means for imparting motion to the liquid-control valve, the cup-releasing mechanism, and the syrup-measuring and delivering mechanism. upon deposit of a coin in bridging relation to separated sections oi an electric circuit containing said electromagnetic actuating means.-

5. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, measuring devices for the bever- 'age to be dispensed; a cup container; means for discharging a cup therefrom; a valve controlling and means for regulating the voltage of the current employed.

'6. A liquid-dispensing apparatus comprising, in combination, measuring devices for the beverage to be'dispensed; a cup container means for discharging a cup therefrom; a valve controlling the measuring devices; a discharge nozzle; a solenoid for actuating the said measuring devices and cup discharging means; an electric circuit for said solenoid having a gap or break adapted to be bridged by a coin or token; and a transformer included in the solenoid circuit.

'7. A liquid dispensing apparatus of the character described, comprising means for automatically positioning a cup to receive a charge of beverage; means for measuring and mingling the ingredients of the beverage and for delivering a prepared charge thereot into the positioned cup; a solenoid; a source of electric energy in the circuit of which said solenoid is included; operative connections between the solenoid and the devices recited; and a coin chute included in saidcircuit but having an air gap or interruption adapted to be momentarily bridged by a proper coin or token dropped into said coin chute and then broken by discharge of the coin or token, whereby all the recited functions are eflected by merely dropping the coin or token into the coin chute,

. JOHN L. 

